How to Cover Your Relatives with an International Driver's Permit

If you have relatives coming from a foreign country to visit you in the United States, they might want to travel on their own by driving a car. With an international driver's license, it would be easy to either borrow or rent a car. In either case, they will need insurance before driving a car in the U.S.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Assess the past driving record of your relative. If you think their driving record is safe in their country of origin, you may want to add their name to your existing policy. This is often one of the cheapest ways to insure foreign visitors.

2. Call up your insurance agent and inform the insurance company that you would like to add a visitor's name to your existing policy for a few weeks .

3. Obtain a copy of your relative's international permit or driver's license of the state or city in the country of origin. Ensure that you complete all necessary paperwork.

4. Receive an updated policy quote. Your premium is likely to increase for the duration that your relative's name is on the policy, as he or she has no established driving record in the U.S.

5. Shop for quotes if your driving record is too bad and you cannot add another name to your existing policy. Shop for part-time or short-term insurance policies with local agents. You can also go online to get quotes.

6. Get a rental car and a temporary insurance if you cannot let your relative borrow your car. The rental company will arrange for a temporary insurance.

Tips & Warnings

• To avoid any legal disputes, it is in your best interest to add the foreign relative's name to your existing policy. This costs less, too.
• Verify all credentials. Communicate in advance to your relative before the trip to bring their original driver's license from their state or city in their country of origin.
• Teach your relative about the basic traffic rules and variations that exist in the U.S.
• Seek advice from your attorney, if required.